Dental Implant Surgery
Dental Implant Surgery
Tempe, AZ
At Desert Breeze Dentistry, we can provide you with dental implant surgery to replace your missing tooth. Even with the improvements of oral health care, the majority of adults still lose at least one tooth during their lifetime. Whether this is due to old age, an accident, or gum disease, we have the most durable solution for replacing your teeth. This is the only procedure that replaces both your lost root and tooth, since dentures and dental bridges only replace the visible portion of your tooth. In order to place implants, we must conduct dental implant surgery. During the surgery, we will insert a titanium post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone. The bone and metal will fuse together through the process of osseointegration, creating a durable root system to attach your new tooth (crown). If you are considering this procedure, we encourage you to call (480) 864-4273 to schedule a consultation with our Tempe dental office.
Dental Implant Surgery: What to Expect From the Actual Procedure
On the day you visit our Arizona dental office for surgery, you will be given anesthesia so you will not feel anything while we place the implant. The procedure itself can take anywhere from 30 minutes for a single implant to several hours. If you are replacing multiple teeth with implants, we will let you know how long the process will take and whether or not it will take two appointments.
Post-Operation Care for Dental Implants
Since dental implant surgery is an invasive process, you can expect to have some swelling and sensitivity after the fact. While perfectly natural, you must take good care of your mouth in order to prevent an infection or unnecessary irritation. We suggest taking ibuprofen to decrease swelling and manage discomfort. You can also use an icepack or cold compress for 15 minutes at a time. At Desert Breeze Dentistry, we generally recommend taking a couple of days off work while you are recovering. After two to five days, you will feel normal again; though your gums may remain slightly sensitive for a little longer.
Check out what others are saying about our dental implant surgery services on Yelp: Dental Implant Surgery Tempe
Dental Implant Recovery FAQ
Here are a few questions we are regularly asked in our dental office.
A. We recommend you eat foods that are soft and easy to chew or that require no chewing at all. A perfect example would be yogurt, warm soup, ice cream, smoothies, and steamed vegetables. We can provide you with a more detailed list during a consultation. Also be sure to avoid foods that are difficult to chew, like steak, or things that are sharp, like tortilla chips, since they can further irritate your gum tissue.
A. Most patients report feeling normal within a week of dental implant surgery. The first couple of days will be the most uncomfortable, but every day you should feel slightly better. Ibuprofen or Tylenol can usually be enough to increase your comfort.
A. When you visit our dental office, we will discuss pain management with you. We will give you anesthesia during the actual procedure so you can relax and feel comfortable during the entire process. Afterward, you can take over-the-counter medication to manage your pain. By following the directions, you will remain fairly comfortable. The key is to stay ahead of your discomfort, so if the bottle says that you can take two pills every four hours – take them every four hours. As long as you do so, you will be able to go through your day without any severe discomfort.
A. When you come in for a consultation, we can provide you with a good idea of when we can attach your new tooth. For the most part, we wait until the process of osseointegration takes place and the titanium post integrates into the jawbone. This provides the most durable base to attach your new crown to. Typically, this process can take anywhere from three to six months to complete. However, there are other options we can explore if you are on a tight timeframe. To ensure your smile is intact while you wait, we can provide you with a temporary denture to wear. We will attach the denture using wires, similar to a retainer. You can remove the denture whenever you want to. This way, your smile will appear intact until we are ready to secure your new tooth (crown) in place. We will schedule you for a follow up visit to inspect your implant and give you a better idea of how the healing process is going at that time.
A. Yes, at Desert Breeze Dentistry, we place implants on a regular basis. Patients who are tired of wearing removable dentures and want something more permanent can benefit from dental implants. Since dentures can easily slip out of place, switching to implants can make it easier to eat, speak, and engage in normal daily activities. If you have worn dentures for some time, you may be suffering from resorption. If this is the case, your jawbone may not have sufficient density to support an implant. When this happens, we may recommend a bone graft prior to beginning. To discuss this further, call 480-864-4273 and schedule an examination. After physically examining your teeth and taking X-rays, we can create a full treatment plan for you.
A. Before you can begin, we need to examine you and take X-rays to determine the density of your jawbone. This appointment will be non-invasive and comfortable. We can present you with all of the options available to you and discuss the ins and outs of each treatment solution. This will allow you to ask questions and select the option that is best for you. To begin, call our Tempe dental office at (480) 864-4273.
Definition of Dental Terminology
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Dental Caries
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Filling
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Tartar
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental Checkup
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Preventive Dentistry
Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
We Offer Emergency Dental Services
Desert Breeze Dentistry
We are committed to providing quality healthcare to families located in the Tempe area and treat patients of all ages. We provide comprehensive solutions for our patients’ oral health needs. Believing in the importance of listening to our patients, we take the time to truly understand each person’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. By understanding our patients’ objectives we can provide solutions that will improve their health while transforming their smile into something bright and beautiful.
Desert Breeze Dentistry is located at 1720 East Warner Road #5, Tempe, AZ. We are currently accepting new patients, and you can schedule an appointment by calling 480-864-4118.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015
About our business, license, and website security
- Desert Breeze Dentistry was established in 1988.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Maricopa
- We serve patients from the following cities: Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Gilbert
- AZ (License #D010124). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1881171437). View NPI Registry Information
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Our Office
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Thursday
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Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM